So for the longest time I was wanting to display my video games consoles with an entertainment center. I searched the internet and found ideas that people bought IKEA shelves and tipped them on their sides. But I really didn’t have any money to buy a shelf or a fancy glass entertainment center so I set out to create my own. I have an Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox, PS4, PS3, PS2, a Wii and a Super Nintendo that I wanted display.

Step 1: Step 1: Measurements

I looked at the tallest console (which was the Wii) and the widest console (Xbox One) for the measurements of the boxes for them to sit in. The Xbox was 14 inches wide and the Wii was 9 inches tall so I went with it. I measured the Depth of an old entertainment center I had and came up with 18 Inches so I had my H, W, and D all planned out. I had 8 consoles so making 9 boxes was a sure plan for it to be even.

Like I said earlier I didn’t really have any money but I’ve done projects with pallets before so I decided to cut up some pallets and use them for wood. Each pallet is roughly ½ inch thick so I took that in consideration when constructing the entertainment center. I also needed a way to attach the top and shelves to each other so I used some scrap wood I found at a wood working place to make cleats that were 1 ¼ “ x 1” x 17 “ long. The cleats are on the front view but I didn’t label the measurements. I now had all the measurements for everything so I was now ready to start building the entertainment center now.

Step 2: Step 2: Cutting Up Pallets

I had to cut up some pallets to get the wood for the project which does take some time and most of the reason I will get back problems later in life.

Step 3: Step Three - Constructing the Sides and 2 Shelf Dividers.

I first took pallet boards and cut them to my height of 28 inches only because my top and bottom were going to be screwed to the sides so it would equal my overall height of 29 inches. I then lined 4 of the boards up so they would equal my width of 18 inches. I then took one of the cleats I made and measured 9 inches up from the bottom on each side so that the shelf would be level and screwed the cleat in with 1 ½ in screws. I made sure all of my cleats were flush with the right side all the way up because I didn’t want them to stick out the front. I then measured up 9 ½ inches up on both sides and screwed another cleat in. I reason why I went up 9 ½ inches instead of just 9 was because my shelves were ½ inch thick and I wanted all of my shelves right at 9 inches. I then Measured up another 9 ½ inches and screwed in the last cleat that will hold my top onto it.

I had to do this process for the other side as well but instead of keeping my cleat flushed with the right side I had to keep them flush with the left. I then had to do the two dividers and the process for that was the same for the sides but instead of screwing cleats on only one side I screwed them into both sides. I forgot to take pictures while constructing the project but I drew up the picture above for a view of how I screwed in the cleats. I also have a picture above of the sides and dividers done and all stained.

Step 4: Step Four – the Top and Bottom

For the top I picked out my boards, cut them to 44 inches, and lined them up to make the width of 18 inches I needed. I had to cut two of the boards on the table saw for the right width and then I took them over to the bench, glued and clamped all the boards together. After waiting for 2 hours I took the boards and planed them down so they would both be level.

Step 5: Step Five- Shelves

This step is the easiest. I took pallet boards, cut them for the length of the shelves which was 14 inches long and lined them up until I got 18 inches. I wanted to space the boards for the shelves so I figured I only needed 4 boards per shelf and I had 6 shelves so I cut 24 boards.

Step 6: Step Six – Staining

I had to stain all of the pieces before I put the project together because it would have been hard to get all the way to the back of the entertainment center. I made sure to stain some extra boards because I thought i might use them later for other projects.

Step 7: Step Seven - Assembling

We are finally here! This project does take some time but it’s so worth it when you get it all together. I first took my top piece and flipped it upside down so I could screw on the sides and dividers that I made. I made sure that the cleats were all located on the back and screwed them into the top with 1 ¼ inch screws. I screwed on one side, measured 14 inches on the inside for the shelf and then screwed the divider into the top. I then measured 14 inches again screwed the divider in and then measured again to screw in the other side to the top.

While the project was still upside down I screwed the bottom on and also pin nailed it so it wouldn’t go anywhere. My mother was helping with the project and convinced me that I needed a toe kick to give the project more of a professional look so I installed the toe as a last thought. For the toe kick I made it 2 inches shorter from the overall width and length and then pocket screwed it to the bottom. Then I covered it with more pallet boards I stained the same color.

I then turned the project over and pin nailed the shelves onto the project and that that I was actually done but I had one more thing. I wanted to put some sort of backing on it so I took 4 pallet boards again and screwed and nailed them to the back of the sides and the dividers.

Step 8: Step Eight – Installing

The entertainment center was pretty heavy so it took 2 people to move into my apartment. With 8 gaming consoles it also had a lot of cords to hide and organize so it took me an extra hour and a half to get it all ready to use. After all of this I was finally done and I’m really satisfied with the end result. I hope you like it as well! If you have any questions let me know in the comments section.